HC Deb 18 March 1987 vol 112 cc501-3W
Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what investigation there has been regarding the use that is made of National Health Service hearing aids after issue to (a) the general population and (b) elderly people; and what research has been done into the problems that are encountered with the use of hearing aids.

Mr. Major

We hope that the national study of hearing being carried out by the Institute of Hearing Research will throw light on this problem.

Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what type of follow-up help is normally provided to those supplied with National Health Service hearing aids.

Mr. Major

District health authorities make their own arrangements using the staff and facilities available to them.

there are now in each of the regions; how many there were in 1979 and in 1983 respectively; and how many of the posts are currently unfilled.

Mr. Newton

The information requested is in the table.

Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Social. Services how many new patients are supplied with hearing aids annually; and what is the average waiting period from the time of diagnosis that a hearing aid is needed to its eventual supply.

Mr. Major

I am sorry that I cannot give the right hon. Member the information he seeks. It is not available centrally. Responsibility for the supply of National Health Service hearing aids now rests with the Mersey regional health authority. The right hon. Member may therefore wish to contact the regional chairman.

Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proportion of the elderly population over 65 years of age have a National Health Service hearing aid.

Mr. Major

Specific information is not available but it is known that hearing aid possession rises after retirement age.

Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is his estimate of the proportion of elderly people over 65 years of age who have a hearing loss so great that they would benefit from the provision of a hearing aid;

(2) what is his estimate of the proportion of the adult population who have a hearing loss so great that they would benefit from the use of a hearing aid.

Mr. Major

Whether patients might benefit from the provision of a hearing aid depends on a complicated set of factors including, of course, the degree and type of hearing loss suffered. In view of this, it is not possible to give accurate estimates but I hope that people, especially elderly people, who feel that their hearing is becoming impared will seek medical advice so that the best treatment may be given.

Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proportion of the adult population have a National Health Service hearing aid.

Mr. Major

It has been estimated that 3.8 per cent. of the adult population have hearing aids, 80 per cent. of these supplied by the National Health Service.